Page 40 of My Unbearable Mate

“Should we go back down and tell her she’s made a mistake?” I added. My heart pounded as reality set in. This was no longer a business trip. It was a romantic getaway with the bear who tried to claim me. “When I said I was your client, I thought she was gonna make us leave?—”

“Nope. It’s perfect,” Bellamy said, his lips turning up in a defiant grin as he plucked one of the strawberries off the plate and dropped it into my surprised lips. “I say we milk this for all we can get.”

I could barely swallow my strawberry without choking. “You mean, make them think we’re on our mate moon?”

“Why not?” His dark eyes were dancing with desire. “Everyone roots for the newlyweds. They’ll tell us everything they know. We’ll have an all-access pass to this town. If Anders Lynwood is here, he can ride his fancy motorcycle wherever he wants, but he can’t hide from us.”

“Great plan.” My disappointment was a lousy chaser for the chocolate-covered treat. “We’ll be out of here in no time.”

“Hey.” Bellamy tipped my chin up so there was nothing I could do but look into those gorgeous eyes. “If this makes you uncomfortable, we can find another place to stay.”

“I’m not uncomfortable.” I jerked away from him. “It’s just that…” I shook my head.

“It’s just that what?”

I turned to find him sitting on the edge of the bed. The sight of him… The slate blue T-shirt clinging to his bulging biceps. His hair was slightly too long, and a little lighter at the tips. Those full lips. “You’re giving me whiplash. One moment, you’re talking like you want to give things another try. The next, you’re all business.”

“What do you want, Clover?”

“I want you to make me regret every bad decision I’ve ever made.”

He rose from the bed in a move that was more animal than human. Everything inside me pulsed at double-time as he came over to me and brushed my hair away from my shoulder. His lips were against my ear. “I think you know how long I’ve been dreaming about doing that.”

His hands were on my waist, and he pulled me against him. His cock was hard against my stomach. “And you owe me a mate moon.”

I didn’t know what would happen when this was all done, but right now, I’d convince myself the best thing I could do was let both of us get lost in this fantasy. This alternate universe where I let him claim me. And maybe, just maybe, we could make it real.

But I wouldn’t worry about any of that tonight. “Show me what you’ve got, bear.”

His lips were on mine, hot and hungry. I let him inside, finally surrendering to him after all this time. Now I understood I wasn’t giving up a piece of myself to let him into my life. It might be too much to hope that this was more than just this night, just this case, but maybe he could accept me for the hot mess that I would probably always be.

He drew away from me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. For a moment, he looked so much like he had the last time I’d seen him. When he’d been so brave to come forward in front of the entire clan and ask me to be his mate. Damn it, I didn’t want to feel regret right now.

Do you understand how lucky you are to get a second chance? My bear sighed. Don’t screw this up.

Oh, I did. Not in a million years did I ever think I’d ever have a chance to fix this mistake. My heart ached, realizing I’d taken so much time from him. I was convinced he’d moved on without another thought of me. Left me in the dust. This opportunity felt like pure magic.

Maybe Alba Lynwood had cast a spell that fixed my life.

The way Bellamy moved around the cozy suite was pure bear. He was totally in his element, in a place I never expected.

It’s not where he is, it’s who he’s with.

I chuckled softly to myself as he carefully moved the tray with the champagne and the strawberries over to the wet bar behind the hot tub. Even in the throes of passion, he was still lawful good. I resented him for it when I was younger. I needed him to be wild back then. But now I could find comfort in it. Not that I needed anyone to take care of me. As a Crowley, I felt invincible because my name was my armor. Maybe I needed this professional bodyguard to protect me as I reemerged to the clan—and the world—as my own woman.

Bellamy picked up a little bottle and his face lit up. He turned to me and grinned.

“What did you find?” I asked.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he rumbled playfully as he approached. His gaze raked over me. “This is gonna be perfect.”

I groaned. “I’d agree with you if I knew what you were talking about.”

He put his hands on my hips, and his breath was hot against my ear. “Let me show you what you’ve been missing all these years.”

It was like the bear could read my freaking mind. I scraped my teeth against my bottom lip. “Maybe I’d like to do the same.”

He shook his head, grinning. “It’s my turn.”

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